Juicy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Tender and juicy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin cooks in less than 20 minutes and slices into savory pork tenderloin medallions with a big flavor!
Pork Tenderloin in Air Fryer Recipe
If you check out my freezer, you’ll find at least 3-4 packages of pork tenderloin at all times.
When they go on sale in the meat case at my local grocer, I’m always stocking up on them since they freeze so beautifully.
Even better, they thaw quickly when I’m in a hurry to get dinner on the table.
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I was surprised to learn that pork tenderloin can cook fast and entirely in the air fryer. I like how all the grease splatters stay within instead of all over my cook top.
You’ll want to add air fryer pork tenderloin to your round-up of easy weeknight dinner recipes!
Once you learn how easy pork tenderloin is to make, you’ll want to make it on repeat for your family.
Leftovers reheat perfectly. Add sliced pork tenderloin to salads, pasta, quesadillas, whatever!
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients
- Pork tenderloins:
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, McCormick Steak Seasoning, may use your favorite steak seasoning blend, whatever is on hand!
- Olive oil: may substitute vegetable or canola oil.
How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Air Fryer
Remove both pork tenderloins from the refrigeration and unpackage. Pat dry with paper towels.
Note: Don’t confuse this pork TENDERLOIN with pork LOIN. They are not the same cut, at all.
Pork tenderloins are long and skinny, each one weighing about 1 lb. and are usually packaged as two tenderloins though this is often hard to see when you look at the package.
Check the label to see if the pork tenderloins weigh about 2 lbs. total – this will verify that there are two in the package.
In a small bowl, combine the salt with the steak seasoning.
Brush the pork tenderloins with the olive oil on all sides, then sprinkle the tenderloins with the prepared steak seasoning, rubbing it into the meat with your fingertips so it adheres well.
Let the tenderloins rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, if time allows.
This resting time makes a big difference in how the pork cooks.
Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for 5 minutes, then place the seasoned tenderloins into the basket, bending them a bit to fit if necessary.
Air fryer the pork tenderloins for 10 minutes, then flip them over.
Reduce the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F.
Continue to cook the tenderloins 10-15 minutes longer, just until the internal temperature right at the center of each tenderloin reaches 140 degrees F. when tested with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Transfer the tenderloins to a large cutting board and cover with foil.
Let the tenderloins rest for 10 minutes to finish cooking from residual heat.
This resting time is also when the juices will redistribute themselves back towards the center of each tenderloin.
It allows the protein fibers to relax to make the meat extra tender and juicy.
Be sure you don’t overcook the pork tenderloin! Overcooking is what makes pork dry and tasteless.
To serve, slice each tenderloin into medallions.
How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer?
Pork tenderloin is a great cut for the air fryer because it is so tender due to coming from a little-used area of the pig’s back.
To keep pork tenderloin from drying out in the air fryer, be sure you don’t overcook it! Cook as this recipe directs and you will have juicy, succulent pork.
Can you put raw pork in an air fryer?
Yes! Place the seasoned pork tenderloins into the oiled air fryer basket just as they are.
Cook until the pork tenderloin reaches 140 degrees at the center, followed by 3-minute rest, covered in foil.
Do you wrap pork in foil in air fryer?
There may be recipes that instruct wrapping pork in foil, but I recommend cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer without foil.
How do you keep pork moist and tender?
Overcooking pork is the biggest culprit for why it’s dry and flavorless.
If you want pork that’s moist and tender, cooking it just to 140 degrees F. internal temperature
More favorite pork tenderloin recipes
Country Style Ribs in the Air Fryer are meaty and flavorful pork ribs that cook up tender and juicy in less than 20 minutes in your air fryer.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Sauerkraut has apples, cranberries, and sweet potatoes for the ultimate skillet meal when you’re craving something colorful, savory, and hearty.
Follow these easy steps for making Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes that is tender, juicy, and flavorful, all in under 30 minutes.
We love this one pan Pork Tenderloin Sheet Pan Dinner made with green beans and potatoes.
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins approx. 1 lb. each
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. McCormick Steak Seasoning or use your favorite
- olive oil for brushing the pork for the seasoning
Instructions
- Remove both pork tenderloins from the refrigeration and unpackage. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt with the steak seasoning.
- Brush the pork tenderloins with the olive oil on all sides, then sprinkle the tenderloins with the prepared steak seasoning, rubbing it into the meat with your fingertips so it adheres well.
- Let the tenderloins rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, if time allows. **This resting time makes a big difference in how the pork cooks!
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F. for 5 minutes, then place the seasoned tenderloins into the basket, bending them a bit to fit if necessary. Air fryer the pork tenderloins for 10 minutes, then flip them over.
- Reduce the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue to cook the tenderloins 10-15 minutes longer, just until the internal temperature right at the center of each tenderloin reaches 140 degrees F. when tested with an instant-read meat thermometer.
- Transfer the tenderloins to a large cutting board and cover with foil. Let the tenderloins rest for 10 minutes to finish cooking from residual heat. **This resting time is also when the juices will redistribute themselves back towards the center of each tenderloin and the protein fibers can relax to make the meat extra tender and juicy.
- To serve, slice each tenderloin into medallions.
